Promotion

Is this the end for Lohan?

The Linda Lovelace biographical film Inferno that has been talked about for some time and was standing staunchly by it's chosen lead actress Lindsay Lohan has finally dropped the star and replaced her with another actress.

It seems that they've departed from their view of being 100% behind her and the rumour is that she's not only impossible to insure on a film now, but also the producers preferred the actress who is now taking her place. Interestingly there's no word from the director who issued that bizarre "remarkable artist" quote about her.

"This is a sad chapter in the ongoing tragicomic circus between the tabloid media and the 'justice' system. An outrageously outsized sentence garners attention for all the players involved, but brings only sadness to the poor soul who has to serve it. I am 100% behind Lindsay and can say the same for everyone involved in the production of 'Inferno: A Linda Lovelace Story.' Indeed, we are proud to have this remarkable artist work on our film...

... as for the haters relishing this moment, I can only quote Jesus in 'The Last Temptation of Christ': 'And those who are laughing now...will be crying after.'"

I marvelled at the Jesus comment, but now the thing that stands out the most is that he said he was 100% behind her and that everyone was proud to have her on the film, something that may not be so true for all the producers.

With this sort of strong commentary behind Lohan, I wonder what he's thinking now she's replaced on the production? Was that comment just a defence of the leading actress of his film, or is he now feeling rather undermined on his project? I would think a bit of both, but I'm sure there's no question he's going to continue with Inferno and this will just add to the marketing of the film.

The actress that has been chosen to replace Lindsay Lohan is Malin Akerman. Most notable for her romantic comedies and supporting roles, she's also delivered a strong performance in Watchmen (Filmstalker review) and she has some more dramatic roles lined up.

While a lot of sources are criticising the actress, I think this is a very bold move from her. Despite the fact that this film won't get a wide audience in the U.S. because of the promised NC-17 certificate meaning most cinemas will be too scared to show it, it will expose her acting talent in a very different way than it has been to date, and I don't just mean in nudity or sexual context, but I mean in a more adult and dramatic way.

This could be a role that really raises her profile and changes it dramatically in Hollywood, moving her away from the romantic comedies and such that she seems to be stuck in, and if that happens surely it's a good thing?

Deadline Hollywood Daily, who have the article on Lindsay Lohan being dropped, have the usual "unknown source" comment stating:

"My understanding is that Lindsay was dropped as she's impossible to insure and the producers loved Malin"

I think they've probably gathered as much publicity as they can from her and the pros are now outweighing the cons. Yes, there are a lot of jokes to be had in there.

This must surely be the end of the line for Lohan's career, which I hope is the case, for that could mean the distractions of fame could disappear along with her money and perhaps, just maybe, she could concentrate on not breaking the law and get better. Of course it also means that the protection of the Hollywood circus will be gone, and if she's thrown in jail again, it won't be for minutes, hours or days.

She needs to properly clean up and come back, otherwise she could well be over in Hollywood. If the production can't get insurance from her, she's not going to be acting in anything even vaguely resembling a big production for a long time.